X-Oriente

035: The Widows Sons

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(Photo by Ted Hogan)

It's here it's here! I've finally been off my bike long enough to finish the episode! It's riding season and I've been spending a lot of time on my incredibly fuel efficient (51MPG city) fast (100MPH +) and cool scooter. It got me interested in the biker lifestyle, specifically biker Masons, so I thought I'd visit some and discuss the biker lifestyle, Masonry and the intersection of the two.

I spoke with W. Bro. Ted Hogan, president of the 3-5-7 Brotherhood Chapter of the Widows Sons International, a Masonic Motorcycle Association. And I learned a lot about what biker Masons are, and what they aren't. And at the end of the day I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of Masonic content they offer their members. If you are interested in joining the Widows Sons, you can  find a chapter near you here. Ride Safe!

034: An Evening With Brother Hodapp

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In this episode, some discussion around the goings on at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota and the motion to investigate the goings-on in West Virginia. Also, I managed to catch up with my friend and Brother Christopher Hodapp, noted Masonic author of several books including Freemasons for Dummies, The Templar Code for Dummies and Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers and the Secrets of Washington D.C. I caught up with Bro. Hodapp at the Valley of Chicago's Scottish Rite Degree day on Feb. 21, 2009 at the Shriner Hospital in Chicago and managed to record his talk.

033: Masonic AntiPatterns 2-Small Group Dynamics

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In this episode we look at the dynamics of small teams (that is "Committees" in Masonic parlance) and how understanding the dynamics of the life-cycle of teams can help make your team or committee run much more smoothly. 

We've also got some music that simply blew me away with its ingenuity and talent. Kutiman is an Israeli Musician, Producer and DJ who has put together music from unrelated videos found on YouTube. You can find his work on his site. We're playing the first cut off his collection called "The Mother of All Funk Chords." It has to be seen to be believed!

 

032: Report From Masonic Week 09

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I just got back from Masonic Week on Sunday afternoon and after several hours of recovery (sleep, water, and vegetables) I managed to put together this dispatch. Masonic Week was very productive but this time even more so for the show. I managed to forge alliances with some other Masonic media outlets and we'll be cooperating on some joint projects. I also got a lot of ideas for show topics and lined up some guests.

There is an album of some photos I took while out at Masonic week, you can find them here.

If you'd like to find out more about the Royal Order of Masonic Knights of the Scarlet Cord, This was a good source of information.

Update: Player link is now fixed.

031: Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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2 episodes in a week? Am I nuts? (Don't answer that!) Today's episode is a quick one...I was thinking about the legacy of our brother Dr. King, and my childhood, white guilt, putting a name to race, and Masonry and the inauguration tomorrow...and it was all swirling around in my head. So I decided to get it out onto an MP3 and share my thoughts with you and maybe spark some conversations between you and your brothers. Please share your thoughts and reflections too. And Happy MLKJ Day!

Episode 030: Masonic Anti-Patterns Part 1: People

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Anti-patterns are studies of what not to do. Sometimes knowing what not to do, helps you avoid problems before they become problems. So I'm devoting a series of shows to lodge personnel dynamics and of all the different ways things can go wrong, with people, with small groups and committees and with management decisions. Oftentimes we are our own worst enemy.

In this first part, we'll deal with "personal" anti-patterns. Every lodge has at least one. One guy who has...how shall we say it...a high cost/benefit ratio? These are guys who cause problems, who are there disrupting harmony, sniping, being negative and killing morale. We could regale each other for hours with stories from the front lines, but we are here to focus on solutions. Usually it's possible to deal with problem people if you understand the root causes of their behavior. You might not be able to transform the most stubborn crusty curmudgeon into a model brother but you can keep problem people from causing bigger problems in the lodge. Have a listen and let's see if we can add more patterns/solutions to the mix. And you have had success stories in dealing with problem personalities, post here and tell us about it.

Episode 030 is in the feed!

Episode 30, the first in a series on Masonic anti-patterns is now live. I am in Syracuse at the moment, on my way to visit the good brothers of Templum Fidelis Lodge UD. There, I will record episode 31.

If there is Internet access in my lodging I'll try to post the show notes for the last 2 shows.

028: Believing In

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>Belief in Deity is one of the foundations of the Craft and one of our most basic qualifications for membership. But what does it mean to "believe in God?" Is believing in something different than just believing something? How does belief change a person? Why is belief important in the Craft? 

In this episode we'll speak to two experts on belief and faith: Rabbi Allan Kensky, of Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah  was for years the Dean at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. We'll also visit with Rev. Dirk Ficca, a Presbyterian minister and the Executive Director of the Parliament of World Religions , one of the oldest groups promoting religious understanding between cultures and different faiths.

Thanks to both the Rev. Ficca and Rabbi Kensky for sharing their wisdom and insight!



We're back!

027: West Virginia

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Well you'd have to be under a rock not to have heard about the goings on in West Virginia. So many of you have written to me asking for my opinion I thought it best to do a show about it. I spoke to I.M. Hiram, one of WV's Masonic rebels (voice changed to protect his true identity, lest he face a summary Masonic expulsion.)

Short answer: It's a bad situation for everyone. For the Masons of West Virginia, for the management of their Grand Lodge, for Bro. Haas and the others who have been expelled without trial, and for you and me.

You and I? Yes it affects us too. When the New York Times starts reporting on it, the story grows (like an infection) from being a local one to a national one. Thanks to I.M Hiram for his bravery in talking to me on the air. West Virginia, my prayers are with all of you.

026: An Evening with Bro. "Iceman"

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Back in November I had the opportunity to sit down with M.W. Bro. Jerry Butler. Bro Butler is one of the founding members of the Impressions, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, A Past Grandmaster of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Illinois, and a Cook County Board Commissioner. He is also a wise, compassionate and wickedly funny guy.

I went to see him to learn more about how Prince Hall Masonry differs from my own. What I found is that we many more similarities than differences. Special thanks to Bro. Butler, to Bro. Ryan Priester, To the guys of North Star Lodge No. 1 and to Arc Music for granting permission to play some of Jerry's Music. If you'd like to explore, it can be found on the iTunes Music Store

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